Author Topic: Portable Battery Jumper  (Read 4610 times)

Offline Cam3512

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Portable Battery Jumper
« on: December 15, 2021, 07:59:02 AM »
After the usual dead battery discussions, and needing a jump on my V7 Sport this fall - a Harley guy bailed me out with a battery jumper about half the size of a pack of cigarettes.  I’ve decided having one of these ON the bike is a good idea just in case.

Any recommendations?  Which one are you guys using?

Cam
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Offline blackcat

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Offline Markcarovilli

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2021, 08:43:07 AM »
Cam

these are great - carry one on my Convert (no bump star here...) and got it at Costco cheap...

Mark

Offline Wayne Orwig

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2021, 09:10:28 AM »
For all the more current you will need on a motorcycle, get a cheap one at WallyWorld or wherever. I think mine was like $30. Works fine.
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Offline kingoffleece

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2021, 11:46:31 AM »
I use this.  Buy one time and cry one time.  Starts everything.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Battery-Tender-12-Cell-Lithium-Ion-Jump-Start-030-0001-WH/205743438
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Offline yogidozer

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2021, 02:21:52 PM »
I think Cam means bike to bike?
Like this for $24
https://www.aerostich.com/6-jumper-cables.html

Offline Cam3512

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2021, 04:08:00 PM »
I DID mean the small battery box too, not just the cables.  Thanks for the suggestions, keep ‘em coming.
Cam in NJ
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Offline yogidozer

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2021, 04:11:03 PM »
OK When you said the Harley guy helped, thought you meant he jumped you from his bike.

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2021, 04:27:32 PM »
I have this Scosche jump starter and also the optional battery pigtail. That way if I ever need it, I don't have to remove anything from the bike to connect the jump starter. The optional cable set also comes with a second cable that allows you to continue to use your Battery Tender. It's a sweet setup. The man in the video isn't the best mechanic but you can still get the idea of the simplicity of the system, especially with the optional cable set. I bought mine on Amazon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy0RKLOS6cU

Offline Shorty

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2021, 04:39:05 PM »
I have the POD " Power On Demand" It is several years old, and it is the second one I've owned. It works fine. The original one I bought self destructed whilst trying to jump a G-5. I accidently arced the  leads together on a hot summer day. There was a very violent flash, and the toxic smoke was very thick. I managed to throw it out on the driveway before it burned my garage down. I tried for a refund, but all they offered me was a new unit. I use it mostly to jump start my lawn tractor. Works good. But now I'm VERY careful with the leads.  :wink:


Offline john fish

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Offline 80CX100

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #11 on: December 15, 2021, 05:12:09 PM »
     Every time I read about Nick949's excursions into remote areas solo, I always wondered how he handled dead batteries on the old guzzis with only electric starters.

    A while ago he posted a video about having to be rescued by a friend with a trailer, because he had forgotten his booster pack that he normally carries with him.

    Not too long after hearing Nick's normal preparations for a self rescue,I traded in a collection of old dead batteries and some extra cash for this NOCO bad boy; I haven't used it yet, but it "should" be good enough to get my car going if I needed to, https://webstore.totalbattery.com/GB40-Boost-Plus-1000A-UltraSafe-Lithium-Jump-Start-p/gb40.htm

   fwiw
« Last Edit: December 15, 2021, 07:43:33 PM by 80CX100 »
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Offline antmanbee

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #12 on: December 15, 2021, 06:13:16 PM »
This comparison may be of interest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixWPx79g3yk


Offline smsw

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #13 on: December 15, 2021, 06:18:30 PM »
I used a borrowed one several years ago to start my bike half a dozen times at a rally over the course of three days.  The thing showed full power on the LED's at the end of the weekend when I returned it.  A friend used his to power his heated clothing for several hours - his power pack had the same coax female outlet that his Warm n Safe jacket had.  If you get one of the higher power units, you can also start your cars with them...

Offline 9fingers

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #14 on: December 15, 2021, 06:33:14 PM »
I bought one a few weeks ago and after looking for a tiny one and reading all of the horror stories about batteries overheating and swelling and splitting in the saddle bags.........I decided to get one from a name I trust. I went with the NOCO Boost GBX45, about 1lb lighter than typical units. I think Noco says it weighs 1.3 lbs or so and it is fairly small but not like a pack of cigs small. also, some of them need to be charged every month as they bleed power and the Noco claims to hold charge for a long time. I hope I never need it but the peace of mind was worth $125. Note that if you buy it from Amazon, all of the specs about weight and dimensions are for the whole box it comes in.
Scott
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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #15 on: December 15, 2021, 06:51:06 PM »
    Not too long after hearing Nick's normal preparations for a self rescue,I traded in a collection of old dead batteries and some extra cash for this bad boy; I haven't used it yet, but it "should" be good enough to get my car going if I needed to, https://webstore.totalbattery.com/GB40-Boost-Plus-1000A-UltraSafe-Lithium-Jump-Start-p/gb40.htm

   fwiw

I saw one like that used in a YouTube video to start a diesel FedEx truck.  I don't know if it was that exact model, tho.
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Offline Nick

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #16 on: December 16, 2021, 07:46:29 AM »
Cam,
I got this many years ago. It ain't cheap but works great.
https://antigravitybatteries.com/products/micro-starts/xp-10/





Offline pete mcgee

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #17 on: December 16, 2021, 02:09:27 PM »
There is a youtube channel called Project Farm where he gives all types of equipment an in depth test, one or two of those involves compact jump starters.
Worth the look for his recommendation,  all are available in the USA.
IMO most wil start a Guzzi.
Have a look.
Pete (no not the Bungendore one)


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Offline dguzzi

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #18 on: December 16, 2021, 05:06:24 PM »
 I have a Redfuel 161.  Starts my car great but a Miata. It would be great for a motorcycle for the size  (think a fat cellphone)
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Offline Demar

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #19 on: December 16, 2021, 10:30:28 PM »
Cam,
I got this many years ago. It ain't cheap but works great.
https://antigravitybatteries.com/products/micro-starts/xp-10/






I also have this and yes, they really work well. Started cars many times. You can charge it while riding with proper adapters and then use it to charge your phone or led flashlight at camp. I had the XP-1 version for about 10 years. The unit did start to swell so I decided to retire it.
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Offline steven c

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #20 on: December 17, 2021, 07:44:27 AM »
 They work great but beware of the cheap ones, I had one burst into flames on me while jumping my Subaru.
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Online Motormike

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #21 on: December 18, 2021, 04:12:39 PM »
Another vote for the Micro-Start Kit.  I take mine on any trip longer that one night away from home.  I've used it to start my Tundra when I left the cab dome light on overnight.  Cranked that V8 over like it was a lawn mower engine. 

Offline Cam3512

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #22 on: December 18, 2021, 04:26:52 PM »
Cam,
I got this many years ago. It ain't cheap but works great.
https://antigravitybatteries.com/products/micro-starts/xp-10/






Ding, ding, ding.  We have a winner!  Thanks guys.
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Offline dguzzi

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #23 on: December 18, 2021, 04:47:30 PM »
 I like all the do-dads with that one!
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Offline reidy

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #24 on: December 18, 2021, 05:27:55 PM »
Does anyone here know how these work. How do they get so much cranking current from such a small battery?

Thanks

Steve

Online nc43bsa

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #25 on: December 18, 2021, 06:10:20 PM »
Does anyone here know how these work. How do they get so much cranking current from such a small battery?

Thanks

Steve

And through such small wires?
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Offline Bulldog9

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #26 on: December 18, 2021, 06:53:46 PM »
Had this for a few years, works great. Take on all my trips. Only needed it once for myself, but helped a couple folks out.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Stanley-Simple-Start-Lithium-Ion-Jump-Starter-Battery-Charger/46007586



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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #27 on: December 19, 2021, 02:52:05 PM »
If you look at the picture of the jumper cables that come with the kit, you will see they are "very" short.  While I suppose they could get hot if you had an engine that wouldn't start and just kept cranking on it, their short length keeps the risk to a minimum.  The only downside is you have to have easy access to the battery terminals since you have to set the jumper battery right next to it.

Offline wrbix

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #28 on: December 20, 2021, 05:42:10 PM »
I’ve melted the fusible links on a few sets of wires on these over the years. Found the cable sets and plugs are all standard and interchangeable. Makes me wonder if they’re all manufactured in same location and packaged/labelled differently.
Also the secret to not timing out the circuitry is to attach clamps to battery and wait til last to plug into the box.
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Offline SEG

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Re: Portable Battery Jumper
« Reply #29 on: December 20, 2021, 06:33:20 PM »
The recommendations for a Micro-Start portable jump charger are spot on. I have the XP-10 model, and it is part of my essential roadside emergency repair kit for long distance trips.
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